Can I Book my Trip When I am There?

One of the best things about Costa Rica is all the adventure and nature that is available – and typically easily accessible. Trying to make all the arrangements can be overwhelming from flights, destinations, accommodations, excursions, and finding the time to relax and vacation! Here are some tips that might help you decide on what to book when.

Rule of thumb: "If it's something you really want to do, book in advance. If it's something you don't mind missing out on, wait until later or upon arrival". This will be especially helpful during peak season. Peak travel in Costa Rica used to be mostly November - February. Now we're seeing it pick up in June-August as well. Even though recent statistics show tourism is down, don't let that give you false confidence that everything is going to be easier to book when you arrive, it might... but consider the following points below when looking into your excursions.

Is this a timed activity? Meaning you can only go during certain hours, or it only runs at certain times/days and does this fit into your itinerary on the desired date. If it all fits - book it! National Parks, tubing, fishing charters, catamarans, and guided tours are some of these types of activities.

Are there capacity limits? If you are a big group, it's better to book in advance to make sure everyone that wants to participate can. Also consider that if the activity requires equipment and guides, operators will need to make sure they have the necessary amount for your group. This comes into play when you are booking fishing charters, zip lining, ATV tours, Catamarans, and surf lessons.

What is the best way to book? Going directly to the owner/operator is the best. You’ll be talking with the people that know the activity the best. There are a ton of resourceful Facebook groups, Reddit threads, to join. And these outlets often put you in direct contact with owners/operators. Third party sites like Viator, TripAdvisor, etc., are great to begin your research, and can also be a secure option to book all your experiences at once. But a lot of smaller operations can't afford to lose the commissions third parties take, so you could be missing some great operators.

Other points to keep in mind are cancellation policies, collected information, and deposit/payment options.

Some cancellation policies must be strict due to the nature of the experience. So, if it’s too rigid for your itinerary, either another company might work or try that activity at a later date/other location if you’re traveling around. While it may not seem like it, it does help protect both parties, so make sure you read and understand any cancellation policies operators may have in place.

It’s not uncommon for some activities to require your driver’s license and or passport. Some are obvious like ATV’s, others are insurance for the company so if there is major damage on the part of the client, they can let authorities at the airport know to settle any claims prior to leaving Costa Rica.

Like the cancellation policy, each operator’s terms for payment vary. Some require full payment upfront, a portion of deposit, or upon arrival for activity. Take into consideration how you can make payments and the cancellation policy and do what is best for your group. Using credit cards can offer you peace of mind, and support if anything happens (and the points are nice to collect!), but not all operators have that option. Also consider options like PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, bank transfers (not always easy from other countries into Costa Rica), Apple Pay, CashApp, etc.

You will not be short on opportunities to explore Costa Rica while you are here. So if you’re goal is to vacation and sprinkle in excursions, your hotel or beach guys can help with good recommendations. And if you’re looking for a trip full of adventure, start the conversations now and book away!